Essay

Pick ONE of following THREE questions to answer.  YOU ARE REQUIRED TO INDICATE THE QUESTION # (1,2,3) AT THE TOP OF YOUR ESSAY.   Paragraphs MUST be a MINIMUM of FIVE SENTENCES LONG.  YOU MUST SUPPORT YOUR ANSWERS WITH A MINIMUM OF THREE QUOTES AND/OR SPECIFIC EXAMPLES FROM THE PLAY ITSELF TO RECEIVE FULL POINTS—THESE MUST BE FOLLOWED BY PAGE NUMBERS WHERE YOU FOUND THEM. IF YOU ARE USING A DIFFERENT COPY YOU MUST PROVIDE THE INFORMATION ON THE BOOK YOU ARE USING AT THE END OF YOUR ESSAY. CHECK FOR SPELLING ERRORS.  MORE THAN THREE TYPOS WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF POINTS. NO ASSIGNMENT WILL BE ACCEPTED LATE.  

1) Why do you think the graphic description of finding Matthew tied to the fence and struggling for life is included in this play? How is the discovery of Matthew on the fence described? Why do you think that they actual chose not to include Matthew in the play so we could see his destroy body and eventual death?

2) The Reverend Fred Phelps and his fellow church members traveled from Kansas to protest homosexual lifestyles throughout Matthew’s final days and at his funeral. How do you feel about the actual recorded comments from Reverend Fred Phelps? Do you think he impacted peoples’ beliefs?

3) Matthew’s father, Dennis, makes a moving and impassioned speech at the sentencing of McKinney and Henderson. What key points does Dennis Shepard make in his final comments to the perpetrators, judge, and jury?  How do you feel about the inclusion of Matthew’s father’s statements?